Narrowboat Tacet

Silent Movement - Our gap year travelling the inland waterways

Wednesday, 20 June 2012

Consall and Cheddleton

On Tuesday we left Froghall and returned along the Caldon through the very pretty Churnet valley stopping at Consall and Cheddleton.The valley is shared by river, canal and railway. The Churnet Valley Railway operates steam trains at weekends and holidays, so unfortunately we didn't get to see them running alongside us on our journey.

At Consall the platform and waiting room overhang the canal.

Whilst the Black Lion pub is reached only by rail, canal or on foot.

I suppose we should have waited for the weekend to get a steam train in this picture too as the professionals do. (It would run between the canal bridge and the pub.)

On into Cheddleton and we stopped here to take a look around the site of the Flint Mill, again it is only open weekends, I get the feeling we chose the wrong end of the week here...., however you are invited to look around the site freely.

At the top of the locks the lovely old mill buildings come into view.

Theretwo water mills, kilns and miller's cottages.

The original water mill would have been used for grain, but in the late 18th century the site was altered to grind flint. The Caldon Canal was built in the same period, enabling the heavy stone and ground flint to be moved more easily.

Wharf crane for unloading flint stone

The ground flint produced was used in the new pottery known as 'creamware' developed by Josiah Wedgwood.

About Us

We have taken a break out of our busy lives to fulfil our dream of living aboard a narrow boat, travelling round the inland waterways of Britain. We are Ian and Karen with our slightly mad dog Jumble. Our two children are both away at University so it seemed a good opportunity to have our 'gap year' now. Think we might stretch it to 2 years to make sure we cover all the waterways on the map!